D-League coach Eduardo Najera suspended for too many technicals

By Zach Harper | NBA writer

March 31, 2013 1:19 PM ET

"I'll be over there next game, in a disguise." (Getty Images)

Remember Eduardo Najera? He played 12 seasons in the NBA and was mostly known as the guy whom the Dallas Mavericks would throw on the court to mix things up and annoy the opponents. He had a knack for pestering opposing players, set hard screens and be physical with them when performing just about any task.

His last playing season was the 2011-12 campaign, which he spent playing for the Charlotte Bobcats. Instead of spending this season on a roster, he decided to accept the head coaching position with the Texas Legends, the Mavericks' D-League affiliate playing in suburban Frisco. He apparently hasn't lost his touch for bothering those on the court, although this time he has been bothering the officials a little too much.

After receiving his 13th technical on Saturday, Najera will serve a one-game suspension from the league. From the NBA:

Texas Legends head coach, Eduardo Najera, has received a one-game suspension without pay for receiving his 13th technical foul of the 2012-13 NBA Development League season, it was announced today by Chris Alpert, NBA D-League Vice President, Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.

Under NBA D-League rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 13th technical foul during the regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended for an additional game.

Najera received his most recent technical foul with 10.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Texas' 113-94 loss to the Canton Charge on Saturday, March 30, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Najera will serve his suspension tonight when the Legends face the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in Indiana.

That's a lot of technical fouls for a coach. To put it in perspective, George Karl of the Denver Nuggets leads NBA coaches with seven technical fouls. He's just ahead of Tyrone Corbin (Jazz), Doc Rivers (Celtics), Frank Vogel (Pacers), and Mike Woodson (Knicks).

The Legends are fifth in the Central Division with a record of 19-28. They've been eliminated from playoff contention, which could cause any coach to start yelling at people. Najera just might want to find a better way to express himself when he's on the sidelines.